Bandits Deserve Respect, Empathy, They Have Children, Families – Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Gumi

Kaduna based controversial slamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged security operatives to stop killing bandits that are ravaging villages, abducting schoolchildren and killing Nigerians. 

The controversial cleric asked that they should rather be respected and accorded human rights.

“The bandits also have empathy as we have; they have families, children. The first step is to use psychology on them. They aired their grievances and are ready to change. 

“They should be respected and should be given all the human rights everybody has,” Gumi said Thursday at a peace conference by the Center for the Advancement of Human Dignity and Value held at Arewa House in Kaduna.

The controversial self-appointed mediator to assist in finding a solution to banditry, Gumi, said Nigeria will spend less to enlighten bandits than it is spending on arms and ammunition, Peoples Gazette reports.

“Some are suggesting killing them. All because they are killing. For three year’s you have spent $1 billion, and now you need another $1 billion. But, I said one-third of that will enlighten them, and they will stop killing. Have you tried it? Nobody tried it,” Gumi said.

Contrary to Gumi’s stance, Katsina Governor Aminu Masari said he bemoans that bandits have continued with their criminal activities despite being granted amnesty.

In several coordinated attacks, the criminals have kidnapped hundreds across North-East states, forcing school closure in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara at different points.

In July, bandits bombed a Nigerian Air Force jet in Zamfara and attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna in August, killing two and abducting a Major.

(Saharareporters)

Gov Matawalle Orders Restoration Of Telecom Services In Zamfara Capital

Zamfara State governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has ordered for the restoration of telecommunication services in the state capital of Gusau with immediate effect from Friday, October 1, 2021.

This was contained in a statement signed by the special adviser on public enlightenment, media and communications to the governor, Zailani Bappa.

He stated that the restoration of the service was imperative following the tremendous success recorded by the security operatives in the fight against banditry in Zamfara State.

Governor Matawalle further noted that the restoration of the telecommunication services would ease the hardship faced by both private and public sectors while reaffirming the government’s commitment in the protection of lives and properties in the state.

“The restoration of the service at the state capital becomes imperative following the tremendous success recorded in the fight against banditry in the state and to ease the hardship faced by both the private and public sectors of the state.

“Government finds it necessary to ease the tight measure after the recorded success desired of it which has no doubt destabilsed the syndicate of criminals terrorising the state leading to the successes recorded against them by the security operatives.

“Governor Matawalle promises that his administration will continue to monitor closely the unfolding developments and will announce further decisions of government on measurs being taken appropriately,” he stated.

(Leadership)

BREAKING: Buhari orders conditional lifting of ban on Twitter

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday said he had directed a conditional lifting of the ban placed on the operations of the micro blogging sire, Twitter, in Nigeria in June.

Buhari disclosed this in his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to mark the nation’s 61st independence.

He described the social media as a very useful platform but regretted that some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.

The President said, “Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information.

“However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.

“Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.

“To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges.

“Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.

“The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are National Security and Cohesion; Registration, Physical presence and Representation; Fair Taxation; Dispute Resolution; and Local Content.

“Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.

“As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.”

(PUNCH)

Bandits Cannot Kidnap Me Because We, Preachers, Listen To Them – Sheikh Gumi

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said bandits terrorising the country love those who show them respect and understanding.

According to People’s Gazette, Gumi said this while fielding questions from students during a lecture at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on Wednesday.

The cleric who has been visiting the gunmen in the forest in an attempt to negotiate a peace deal with them says his interaction with them have been easy because he always “goes through the door.”

“I go through the door, not the window. If you go through the door, you will go in and come back safely,” he said.

Gumi said if the bandits were given a listening ear, their resolve would be softened and would become more amenable to abandoning their violent ways.

When asked why the bandits had not kidnapped him despite his numerous visits to their den, Gumi said, “When we meet them, we don’t speak, we give them the microphone to speak even for one hour. When we first approached them, we saw that they were holding their warrant, ready to fire. By the time we finish our meeting, they will hand in their weapons and we will be taking pictures.

“So this is the power of human interaction which is what we are here to study as social scientists. That is the approach.”

The preacher said he had been able to gain the bandits’ sympathy because he “treats them as human beings and respects them.”

“That is the respect I give them. I say come, come and sit with me. Come and sit down. I want to hear from you. With that respect, the Fulani man, you can get him.

“So don’t be surprised, if you are nice to him, if you are ready to listen to him, if you are trying to understand his problem, if you put your legs in his own shoes, he will listen to you, you will go to the forest and return safely insha Allahu,” Gumi assured

(SR/Gazette)

Two Shot Dead In Fresh Benue Attack

Gunmen have killed two people in Nyiev community of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred barely two days after nine people were killed in different locations of the local government area.

Council Chairman of Guma, Caleb Aba, told dailytrust correspondent on Thursday that the gunmen besieged Nyiev community and opened fire on the residents.

He said the gunmen were militia who had also trespassed into villagers farm on Wednesday.

Aba said the matter had been reported to security agencies who are doing all they could to stem further invasion.

Contacted, the Police Spokesperson for Benue Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was not yet aware of the matter.

(Dailytrust)

30 killed as bandits invade Sarkin Pawa community in Niger

Armed bandits have allegedly killed no fewer than 30 persons in Kachiwe village, Sarkin Pawa in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen stormed the village and other neighbouring communities from their hideouts in the dreaded Barnin Gwari forest in Kaduna State on Tuesday.

When contacted, the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, confirmed the attack.

Although, he did not disclose the number of those that lost their lives, he, however, explained that the state government is not resting on its oars in its effort to rid the state of crime and criminality.

Matane appealed to people of the state to provide security agencies with credible information to enable them win in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities facing the state.

Also, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Bala Kuryas confirmed the incident.

Kuryas revealed that investigation has already started on the matter to enable the command track down the perpetrators of the criminal act.

The state Police boss stated, “A team of policemen has been despatched to the area to safeguard lives and property of people of Sarkin Pawa. Efforts are also on to track those involved in the criminal act.”

He said three people lost their lives in an attack earlier on Kagara Rafi Local Government Council of the state.

(DAILYPOST)

Bandits kill 20, abduct others in attack on ‘impenetrable’ Sokoto community

Bandits on Tuesday night killed at least 20 people and abducted several others in Gatawa, a village in Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto State.

The agrarian community was considered to be one of the few secure villages in the eastern part of the state where bandits have been very active.

The deadly attack came barely 24 hours after another in Gangara, in the same local government area.

A local resident, Bashir Gobir, said his younger sister was among those kidnapped.

An anonymous source said the attack was one of the most horrendous.

“They came on motorcycles as usual and started shooting sporadically. They went from house to house checking for food and other things but they also killed 20 people during the attack,” he said.

Mr Gobir said he did not know how many people were killed in the attack.

“The terrorists raided Gatawa yesterday night. They stole almost everything of value in the village, killed many and abducted several others. My sister, Rahila Galadima, was one of the women taken away by the bandits,” Mr Gobir said.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Sokoto, Sanusi Abubakar, said he was attending a meeting and promised to call back.

He, however, did not call back or respond to an SMS sent to him.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview, a member representing Sabon Birni South at the Sokoto House of Assembly, Saidu Ibrahim, said the attacks have become unbearable.

“What is happening is very disheartening. I’ know many people who have been killed and wounded in this attack (Gangara one).”

(Premium Times)

Declare Bandits As Terrorists, Senate Tells Buhari

The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists.

It also advised the president to wage total war against the bandits, including bombing all their locations to annihilate and eliminate them.

The Red Chamber also asked Buhari to declare all the known leadership of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.

The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and eight others.Gobir noted that Sokoto East Senatorial District has now become a safe haven for bandits due to the current onslaught against them in Zamfara State.

He recalled the killing of 21 security personnel last Saturday in Dama and Gangara and yet to be ascertained number of civilians from the neighbouring villages by rampaging bandits.

The gruesome murder, the lawmaker said, portrayed the seriousness of the problem which he said requires concerted and urgent action by the declaration of total war on banditry.

He expressed worry that losing such a number of trained officers would further deplete the numerical strength of the security personnel in the country, thereby jeopardizing the security architecture of the country.

He also lamented that most of the bandits have now relocated to Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas due to the sustained military operations at the Zamfara axis.

The lawmaker said while the crackdown on the bandits was taking place in Zamfara State, no concrete measures have been taken in Sokoto State, leaving it totally exposed to the activities of the bandits.

According to him, the present military onslaught on the bandits is not well coordinated because it is only being orchestrated in Zamfara State instead of all the front line states ravaged by banditry. ,

‘The operation should be holistic instead of restrictive in order to produce effective and the desired results,” he said.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the fallen heroes and civilians who lost their lives in the unwholesome activities of the bandits.

The Red Chamber also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other relevant federal government agencies to as a matter of urgency give all the necessary support to the victims of the menace of banditry in Sokoto and other parts of the country.

(Dailytrust)

BREAKING: Kaduna Government Announces Plans To Shut Telecommunication Services Over Banditry

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has asked residents to prepare for a shutdown of telecommunication services.

According to Daily Trust, the governor stated this in a chat with some radio stations, saying the security agents are prepared to launch an offensive on bandits taking refuge in some parts of the state.

El-Rufai said the shutdown would not cover the entire state, adding that only the local government areas bordering the troubled Zamfara and Katsina states where military onslaught is ongoing will be affected.

“We have been advised by the Military and other security agencies to shut down telecommunication services in certain LGAs but we are waiting for the security agencies to tell us which specific areas and when.

“But I want the people of Kaduna State to know that if they give us the go-ahead tomorrow [Wednesday], we will shut down tomorrow.”

El-Rufai, who spoke in Hausa, said due to the shutdown of telecommunication services in Zamfara and Katsina, some bandits crossed over to neighbouring local government areas in Kaduna to make phone calls and demand ransoms.

“There is no doubt that bandits and other criminals rely on telecommunication to communicate with their informants as well as with relatives of kidnapped victims so as to demand ransom,” he said.

The governor said he had already written to the federal government on the shutdown which he said had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I will not mention the LGAs to be affected but the local governments that are constantly being tormented by bandits know themselves,” he said adding that: “As soon as we get the nod from security agents, then the people of Kaduna State should know that we will shutdown telecommunication to give security agents the maximum cooperation to carry out operations in those areas.”

Most affected by banditry in Kaduna State are the Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kajuru and Kachia local government areas. 

El-Rufai also said the state government had established a task force that will go round the hinterlands to monitor compliance on some of the security measures adopted by the state to ensure that fuel stations and markets are closed to further strangulate bandits in the forest.

While advising residents on the need to identify and report informants or accomplices of bandits, El-Rufai said: “Anyone who comes to buy between 20 to 100 loaves of bread, sell it to him but also notify security agents.

“Or when someone comes with about 20 phones and wants to charge them, let them charge them, but also notify security agents.”

(Dailytrust/Saharareporters)

BREAKING: Gunmen kill late Dora Akunyili’s husband in Anambra

Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband to late former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has been reportedly murdered by gunmen.

The Nation learnt he was killed at Umuoji in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State on Tuesday evening.

Though details of the incident are still sketchy, a source close to the family said the deceased was still at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA) where the late Dora was honoured some hours before he was killed.

The source, who was shattered by the murder, said: “God, pls render the devil and his agents powerless and useless.

“I was with this man yesterday same yesterday at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. It was an occasion of University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch event where they honoured late Dora Akunyili.

“He spoke glowingly about Dora and made a donation of 500k to the association.
He was there with his son ,Obum now working with Anambra state government.

“We saw them off to the car and it was emotional when Obum hugged him tight as both of them separated to join their respective vehicles.

“Obum was in a white Hilux while the man was in a big Jeep (i think Prado). God have mercy!”

(TheNation)